Client Advocate I / Peer Support (Greenville)

About the Department

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Client Advocate I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Greater Greenville Mental Health Center, 124 Mallard St, Greenville, SC 29601. 

A Peer Support Service is a structured and scheduled therapeutic activity with an individual patient or group provided by a trained, self-identified consumer of mental health services.  A Peer Support Specialist guides a patient toward the identification and achievement of specific goals defined by the patient and specified in the Individual Treatment Plan.  Peer Support Services promote community socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, self-help and development of natural supports.

This position is supervised by a Mental Health Professional who assures that all services rendered by the Peer Support Specialist are provided in accordance with the certification training standards established by the OMH and with accepted standards of clinical practice.

Responsibilities for the Client Advocate I:

• Serve as an active member of the patient’s treatment team and advocate for services requested by the patient.   Cultivate the patient’s ability to make informed, independent choices, to set goals, and assist the patient in gaining information and support from the community.  

• Plan activities with the patient that lead to improved self-concepts through empowerment and self-determination opportunities.  Teach and role model the importance of medication monitoring, clear communication with doctors and other caregivers, developing a WRAP plan, Psychiatric Advance Directive, and/or crisis plan to facilitate or avoid/shorten hospitalization.  Assist the patient with learning how to maintain stable housing and employment and provide support and encouragement to both the patient and their family members, when it is the choice of the patient to do so.

• Offer patients hope of recovery from mental illness by sharing their own recovery stories and by teaching patients how to tell their own recovery stories effectively.  Use their unique recovery experience to model the value of every individual’s recovery experience and to teach effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

• Document the following on the patient’s treatment plan with assistance from a supervising MHP:

  • Identify, person-centered strengths, needs, abilities and recovery goals.

  • Provide interventions to assist the consumer with reaching their goals for recovery.

  • Make progress towards goals. 

• Conduct/co-facilitate continuing education opportunities on a regional basis for other Peer Support Specialists.  Actively participate in train-the trainer exercises related to the certification training and continuing education programs.  Maintain valid SC Driver’s License and provide backup transportation support for patient appointments to strengthen engagement and ensure reliable attendance

Position Duties

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required experience.  
• Applicant must be a current or former patient of mental health services, plus have one-year participation in a local or national patient movement or demonstrate recovery experience.  

Additional Requirements

• Must possess a valid SC Driver’s License.
• Ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file.  
• This position could be considered essential.  Therefore, the employee in this position may be asked to report to work even if the Center is closed in the event of an emergency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Related experience as a trainer or presenter preferred.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Other Qualifications

Post hire, employees must: 

• Have knowledge of an agency's mission, programs and objectives. 
• Possess valid SC Driver’s License. 
• If not certified as a SC Peer Support Specialist, must attend mandatory training and complete certification requirements. 
• Maintain SC Peer Support Certification. 
• Have good computer skills and ability to work set schedule determined by the Center. 
• Have knowledge of recovery. 
• Have ability to communicate orally and in writing. 
• Have effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application.  Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.  Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education.  A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees: 

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

• *Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Benefits

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of South CarolinaAgency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033 PhoneOIDD - (803)898-9600
OMH - (803) 898-8600